Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself. – C. S. Lewis

Until my early sixties, I was a very active person. In my childhood, I did roller skating, swimming, and bike riding. Participation in various sports continued in high school with playing on the tennis and field hockey teams. Then as an adult, I was involved with bowling, downhill snow skiing, whitewater rafting, and playing golf with several 18-hole golf clubs.

Since I was 29, however, I have suffered with the problem of pain. It all began with the realization that I would not be able to continue with my recreational activity of western-style horseback riding. I was unable to recover easily from the pain in my back after a ride. Subsequently, an x-ray revealed that I had osteoarthritis, a common, but persistent malady. Although I didn't let any of this slow me down, the worst of all for my back was my 40-year nursing career.

Throughout the many years of suffering with pain, I have learned to depend on God's Word with its many promises. A song entitled, Through it All, written by Andrae Crouch, a popular gospel singer/song writer, says it all:

I thank God for the mountains,And I thank Him for the valleys,I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through.For if I'd never had a problem,I wouldn't know that God could solve them,I wouldn't know what faith in His Word could do.

Through it all, through it all,I've learned to trust in Jesus,I've learned to trust in God.Through it all, through it all,I've learned to depend upon His Word.

1 John 4:4 – My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory … for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. (MSG)

1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NASB)

Are we burdened with trouble in one form or another? We are encouraged to keep on keeping on with the knowledge that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is with us by His Spirit to give us the victory through Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the steadfast love and care that You provide for us each day. May we remain faithful to the end in the work that You have given us to do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

1 Comment

Thank you for reminding me the beautiful song, through it all. The words are very meaningful.
Thanks Parise for this personal yet practical devotional. Praying for your pain to abate and for total healing. Blessings.
Thank you Parise. Yes, when we focus on what we CAN do, and give Thanks for that, life is a whole lot more meaningful.
Parise,- thank you so much for these words — greatly appreciate them as I’m heading off to bed with joy in my heart. Blessings to you.
Dear Parise:
So very true. Thanks you for your wise words and the beautiful song.
God bless you.
Hi Parise,
Good message. I admire your persistence. And a fitting Gospel tune; one of my favorites.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings and peace.
Dear Parise,
I just want to thank you for your devotional contributions; many times they have special meaning for me.
Thank you.
(California)
Dear Parise,
I thank the Lord for your example of faith. You are one of the best overcomers I know and I trust God will continue to use your testimony to bless those around you.
Keep on speaking His Word and sharing His promises!
Parise,
Nicely done, I feel you are going to give hope and encouragement to a lot of people.
All of us are suffering from some sort of pain and your words will help endure the pain with joy and gratefulness.
Keep it up as our Lord continues to work through you writings.
Dear Parise,
May God grant you His peace and healing to bring freedom from pain, in Jesus’ name, amen.
I am dosed up with glucosamine and codliver oil to keep my joints working. I don’t mind how God keeps me going, as long as it is still moving and forwards.
Blessings.
A good Monday morning to you, Parise. It’s always good to read your devotions. I really relate today as I was suddenly stricken with rheumatoid arthritis in my 20’s with little ones and my husband a busy pastor. But the Lord always has a plan, and here, many years later, we’re both active doing what we are able to do. At 90 I can still sing, pray, drive my car and have a good life. I don’t have to live with pain like you do.
May the Lord give you a special touch today, bless you and make you a blessing. You already blessed me.
Dear Parise l have just read your devotional on pain. This is so topical for me. The past week it has been bad and l have been moved to tears with it and have pestering out dear Lord to help and today it seems to be improving. My daughter is graduating and l dont want my pain to spoil her day. This morning l was very down but just now when l read the devotional l felt you were sending me a message from God and things aregoing to be ok. God bless you.
How all of me empathizes with your physical situation Parise.
I was actively involved with every sport you mentioned. I also coached never dreaming the day would come when pain would prevent me from participating.
It has been very difficult to give up my golfing, yet I AM STILL PRAYING I might be able to start again if I can get the knee situation under control. I cancelled knee replacement surgery over a year ago and am still able to walk my dog. But I do believe the Lord is still in the miracle working business so let’s hang in there and keep thanking him for what he is doing in our bodies.
Bless you.
Thank you Parise. Your devotional is lovely and much appreciated. God bless you.

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